Confused after latest spirometry results

[MELLLL]

Hi everyone I’m 46 and have not smoked in over two years about 15 months ago I had a virus which gave me a chest infection and made me wheeze very badly, my doctor said only asthma and copd causes a wheeze never a virus and sent me for a spirometry test. I got be scared and my fears seemed to be confirmed when my spirometry results comments said “possibly early sign of copd”

Results were: ratio 68

fev1 83

FVC 88

Lung age 68

My second test only few days ago (oneYears later) said result normal

Ratio 72 %

FEV1 91

FVC 93

Lung age 57

Comments said “This result does not suggest obstruction as the FEV1, FVC and ratio were normal. On reversibility only the FEV1 increased by 3%”.

Results normal

ive Been under the impression I had mild copd for the last year as my first test had ratio under 70, now I’m confused.

Can anyone help? Anyone with a similar experience

[Fleurbaby]

Yes don't worry too much, your test are probably about the same as about 50/60% of the adult population above 35.

Keep an eye on it, change to a healthy lifestyle now! You should be allright

[MELLLL in reply to Fleurbaby]

Thank you for answering 🙂

[Grandpa-Chuckie]

An internet search for "Wheezing breathing causes". Top result from Mayo Clinic has a list of causes, including COPD AND viruses. Basically, anything that causes restriction to the brachials causes wheezing. Inflammation can too. Fire your doctor, after you get a different one.

mayoclinic.org/symptoms/whe...

Plus, your results a year later say "normal".

[MELLLL in reply to Grandpa-Chuckie]

Hi Grandpa, Yes I remember I did do a lot of googling on his subject after that first doctors appointment and I seemed to remember more said what you say but some thing’s I read did seem to back to the doctors view that if it’s wheeze it’s serious and chronic or asthma.

[Grandpa-Chuckie in reply to MELLLL]

MELLLL, problem with using “wheezing”could be all sorts of causes. Yes, asthma, emphases, allergies, viral/bacteria infection, cancer, etc. That’s why all the testing. Invasive testing should be last (least risk first, higher risk last).

And ask questions till you are satisfied with the answers for your condition. It’s your body, your life.

Thank you for the question!

[R2B_Bonnie Moderator]

1.) That is less than a 10 % change - which our lungs vary even during a given day ... 2.) If you were still recovering from the virus that would have made your numbers lower .... Your numbers are good - Stay healthy , follow ups with Drs & you should be in good shape for many years to come .....

[MELLLL in reply to R2B_Bonnie]

Thank you for answering. Yes I’ll certainly try and stay healthy. Need to lose about 3 stone 🙂

[R2B_Joe Partner]

Hey MELLLL. While spirometry can absolutely detect COPD, a full Pulmonary Function Test is much more complete. Bonnie is 100% correct. Given your history, you are in the risk group so it is important to keep a watchful eye for signs of increasing breathlessness (apart from being sick). Yes, smoking is a major cause of COPD; but 2nd hand smoke, working in dusty/smokey environments, around a lot of pollution and/or chemicals are also risk factors. I'm not trying to be all 'doom and gloom', but it's important to keep in mind the other causes so that we can do everything we can to stay healthy.

[MELLLL in reply to R2B_Joe]

Thanks joe, I’ll ask the doctor about that.

[R2B_Michele_RRT Partner]

Hello MELLLL, What type of doctor ordered the spirometry and is following you?

[MELLLL in reply to R2B_Michele_RRT]

Hi Michele, it was just my gp. I remember there was a couple of trainee doctors there (I’d agreed they could sit in watch) and he said after listening to me explain my symptoms and listening to my chest that it’s either Asthma or COPD. I was shocked and asked if he was sure and said yes with a wheeze it’s one or the other. Now in the following weeks at work nearly everyone had had this virus with exactly the same symptoms, very bad wheeze at night, worse when sleeping on one side. People were really knocked out by this one, it was bad. I thought to myself really everyone here has copd?. So anyway the virus cleared and the symptoms went away and I haven’t had any in the 13 months since though I do take allergie pills every day all year round or I have a constantly bunged up nose, been like that for about 3 years. But a couple months after that doctors appointment the spirometry appointment letter came through the door which I’ve explained. And while the comment on the test sheet said “slight obstruction, could be very early sign of copd” the same doctor nodded in a kind of “yeah pretty much” way when I asked if that meant I had it. Another doctor at the same surgery said it looked inconclusive and I should test again in a year, which of course I’ve just done and the results said normal. Anyway I’m going to keep taking the braltus even though it’s really expensive and I don’t have any symptoms so it doesnt really do anything for me. I don’t want to take any chances.

[R2B_Michele_RRT Partner]

MELLLL, Are you in the UK? I see you are taking Braltus.

Have you seen a pulmonary specialist?

[MELLLL in reply to R2B_Michele_RRT]

Yes I’m in the UK and haven’t seen any specialists though I have had a chest X-ray which came back normal. I think I need a ct scan. I’m going to ask for one. I really haven’t had any symptoms since I came down with that virus 15 months ago. I had those symptoms for about 10 days.

[R2B_Michele_RRT Partner in reply to MELLLL]

MELLLL, a specialist may be able to help you weed through what is going on.